My Dear Sweet Sister Betsy came to Buffalo, New York for a visit 4 years ago.  I remember being at the airport anxiously awaiting her arrival.  I had not seen Betsy for several years and had that last picture of her in my mind while waiting at the airport.  People continued to get off the plane and yet there was no sign of my sister Betsy.  I then heard a voice say “She doesn’t recognize me.”  I looked at the person saying this and it was a woman with spiked frosted hair, race car driver sun glasses on and a man in uniform on both arms.  She came over and introduced me to these two service men that she had met on the plane.  It was my loving sister Betsy! 

Betsy as you know never met a stranger.  She had such a warm and magnetic personality that drew people to her.  She made us laugh and could make us cry.  She had and lived a colorful life that we have been blessed to be a part of in so many ways. 

During Betsy’s visit she talked proudly about her children Sherri and Travis and her Grandchildren Ashley and Brittany.  She had pictures to share and was so proud of her family.  She told me how she was so impressed with Sherri as a loving daughter and wonderful Mother to Ashley and Brittany.  She knew that Sherri was doing a great job and she also expressed how good Sherri was to her in spite of some differences over the years. 

Travis brought such great joy and pride to his Mom.  She bragged about his wrestling skills, his posing abilities and his great gift of gab.   When the article appeared in the newspaper about Travis as a coach and the words and praise he had for his team she beamed with pride and joy by way of email!  She was so proud to be his Mom!  He made her laugh and she loved him so much. 

During Betsy’s stay at our home in Buffalo she shared many things with me about her feelings and her life and her bipolar illness.  She wondered why God continued to keep her alive over the years and was searching for a purpose and will to live.  She said she felt most comfortable with “street people”  the drug addicts, the prostitutes and the homeless.  She connected with these people in a deep and spiritual way and had great empathy for their plight in life.  We talked in great lengths about all of this and I was led to tell her she could help all of these people she so connected with and I suggested she start a organization called “Betsy’s Friends”.  She got so excited and asked for a pen and paper and started taking notes on ideas about this project and how she might begin such a worthy cause.  We brainstormed together and got so excited about all of it.  When I saw her off at the airport she continued to make notes and thought of more ways she could help those that she so connected with and related to.  She emailed me once she got home and said she had pages and pages of what she wanted to do to make a difference in this world.  She was excited and passionate about doing this type of work and I was excited for her. 

As you know many things happened as they do in life and her path took many turns and much change took place that distracted her in what she felt would be her life’s mission from then on. 

My pledge to my loving sister Betsy is that I will find a way to help “Betsy’s friends”.  I will do my best to carry on some of the work that Betsy wanted to do for those she connected with the most. 

I love and miss you Betsy more than words can say.  I am so sorry I cannot be there in person with our loved ones during this very sad and devastating time.  I will be there in thought and prayer and will continue to support with my love and prayers as always. 

Love Forever,

Your Sister Cathy